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The Bible Study – Our readings for Thursday, June 6 are Proverbs 3:5-26 and John 11:38-57. In today’s Proverb, we see that God will punish all who deny His Law and stubbornly refuse His grace. Solomon advises us to: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. “ The wise King stresses the blessings God bestows in the wisdom He imparts. These blessings include the peace and security provided to those who trust in the Lord for forgiveness, new life, and salvation. The blessings for all who receive true wisdom from the Lord are contrasted with the condemnation awaiting those who refuse God’s undeserved favor. In our Gospel passage, Christ reveals God’s glory and that He truly is the resurrection and the life. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Without faith in our Saviour, the fear of death brings despair and hopelessness. Christians, however, can look forward to the blessed day when Jesus will call us from our graves to live with Him forever in paradise. After Jesus raises Lazarus, the Temple leaders become hardened in their opposition to Him, and plot His arrest and killing before the Passover. Unbelief hardens the heart, making a person callous to God’s act of grace, mercy, and salvation found only in Christ. Rejoice that Jesus graciously gave His life for all people. The Holy Spirit uses God’s means of grace, His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to work faith in Christ within us. We are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Amen. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs